Changes in the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

Change is hard – something that those in the education community may know better than most. Whether it is changing a school culture, a child’s life prospects, policymakers’ thoughts on accountability, or voters’ minds on a bond referendum, educators are constantly on the lookout for evidence that they are succeeding as change agents. Sometimes that evidence seems scarce, particularly at a national level, as policymakers push education in ways we don’t always like and rhetoric indicates that we are to blame for a great number of society’s problems.

The first question asked on the poll each year is an open-ended one: What do you think are the biggest problems that the public schools of your community must deal with?

Over the past ten years, there has been a big shift in the public’s perception of the challenges schools face. In 2002, discipline (including fighting, gang violence and drugs) was the most common response, given by 39% of participants. Just 14% of Americans gave that response today. This year, a lack of funding was the most common response, given by 35% of participants.

School Quality

Another change I found surprising – and somewhat encouraging – relates to perceptions of school quality. Americans (particularly parents) seem to have improving opinions of their local schools. In 1992, 40% of respondents graded the schools in their community an A or B. In 2012, 48% did. In 1992, 64% of parents gave the school their oldest child attended an A or B. In 2012, 77% did. And in 2012, 0% of parents gave their oldest child’s school a failing grade (down from 4% in 1992). While ideally all these numbers would be higher, it is encouraging that communities do not seem to be losing confidence in their schools, particularly given the increasingly negative rhetoric about schools from policymakers, the media and certain “education reformers.”

In fact, one area of stability that I was surprised to see was in response to the question: What grade would you give the public schools nationally? Back in 1992, 18% of respondents graded the nation’s schools an A or B (and 48% gave them a C). In 2012, 19% graded them A or B (and 47% gave them a C). There was a peak in 2002, when 24% of respondents graded them A or B (and 47% gave them a C), but over time and despite the negative rhetoric, I find it fascinating how steady these numbers have been.

Policy Issues

Public opinion has also shifted on a number of policy issues. For example, in response to whether they favor or oppose providing free education, school lunches and other benefits to the children of immigrants who are in the country illegally, 67% of poll participants in 1995 answered that they opposed this idea. In 2012, just 58% answered in that manner – still more than half, but the tide appears to be turning.

There is also evidence of a discouraging change of opinion as regards national priorities. When asked whether balancing the budget or improving the education system is more important to accomplish in the next five years, just 25% of 1996 respondents said that balancing the federal budget was more important. 64% said that improving the quality of the education system was. In 2012, just 38% said that improving the quality of the education system was more important. 60% said balancing the federal budget was.

Other policy issues that have seen shifts in public opinion include:

Age of compulsory education. In 1972, just 42% of respondents would require students to attend school until age 18. In 2012, 63% would.

Support for charter schools. In 2008, 51% of respondents favored charter schools, while in 2012, 66% did (though this is slightly down from 2011 and 2010, when 70% and 68%, respectively, favored the idea of charters).

Support for vouchers. In just one year, the percentage of respondents who favor allowing students and parents to choose a private school to attend at public expense (school vouchers) has increased from 34% to 44%.

Some Things Never Change

While public opinion has changed in some areas in recent years, there are also areas in which it has stayed the same. For example, in 2006, 88% of respondents felt that it was very or somewhat important to close the academic achievement gap. 89% of respondents feel that way today. In 1998, 96% of respondents felt that it was very or fairly important to improve the nation’s urban schools. 97% of respondents feel that way today.

And encouragingly, the nation is consistent in its confidence in its public school teachers – in 2010, 2011 and 2012, 71% of respondents reported that confidence.

The Ultimate Takeaway

There are certainly many aspects of this poll that I have not addressed (for example – are you interested in the public’s opinion on the Common Core? The poll includes it). But in general, as an advocate of public schools (traditional public schools in particular) who has been frustrated with both policy and rhetoric in recent years, I see a great deal of hope in these poll results. Despite efforts to denigrate the public education system, public opinion is holding strong – or even slowly growing – when it comes to local schools and teachers.

The poll does illustrate some of the many challenges that education advocates face, including changing opinions on national priorities and alternative educational experiences. But overall, it also shows that no matter how hard it seems at times, change in public opinion is possible.

Link to this story: http://www.learningfirst.org/changes-public-s-attitudes-toward-public-schools

In the matter of charters and vouchers, maybe the public schools should be doing a better job of public relations. I think most private school teachers try to get a job in the public schools at some time in their careers.

The companies that sell tests badmouth public education to sell more tests. Teachers should defend their work, and their attempts to find new ways to help children.

Check out this documentary that gives an authentic example of an urban public school district. It both celebrates public education and educates people about the challenges our public schools face. Go Public: A Day in the Life of PUSD follows 50 different subjects (students, teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers) from 28 different schools from sun up to sun down on May 8, 2012. The goal of the documentary is to raise awareness and community support for public education.

Here's just one of the 50 short films which takes the viewer into the world of an enthusiastic and committed 3rd grade teacher who serves predominantly lower socio-economic students. http://vimeo.com/46766453

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